Vehicle-wheel.



E. K. BAKER. VEHICLE WHEEL.

PPLmATIoN FILED AUG. s. 1914.

1,123,065. Patented Dec. 29, 1914,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

el* Men?? E. lK. BAKER.

VEHICLE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 3, 1914. 1,123,065. Patented Dec.29,1914.

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rinrrnn sraaas Parana arriba.

ERLE K. BAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO UNIVERSAL CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION F ILLINOIS RIM COMPANY, er

VEHICLEWHEEIL.

meshes.,

Be it known that I, ERLE K. BAKER, a citi) zen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and Stateof Illi* nois, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in VehiclelVVheels, of which e l `which shall be simple in construction, easy to manufacture, strong and durable; whieh\ shall consist of but few parts, and which shallbe light in weight, and which can be manufactured at low cost.

My invention resides in an automobile wheel of the demountable rim typewhaving I hollow fmetallic spokes, some of which are providedwith holes to receive rim-clamping bolts, and a continuous fixed rlmwelded or otherwise secured vto and upon theoute'r ends of the spokes.

My inventionv further consists in a metalwheel having Y thin-walled metallic spokes, the outer endsof the spokes being metallically reinforced, a fixed rim welded or otherwise permanently joined to and made one with the spokes and some of theA spokes beingprovided with transverse holes `adapted to receive rim-fastening bolts. l

'My invention further 'consists in a metallic vehicle wheel having thin-walled tubular spokes, the outer ends ofsome ofthe spokes being strengtheued'by internal lreinforcements, and provided with holes eX- tending transversely through the spokes and reinforcements and adapted to receive rimfastening bolts, and a fixed rim metallically and permanently connected and joined to and with the outer ends of all of the-,spokes land provided at one side witha tire-rim abutment. A Myinvention also consists ^in the several arrangements and combinations of stru'ctures and parts, whereby' the above mentioned and other objects are attainedand all as. hereinafter `described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention will be more readily under- Speccation of Letters Patent.

stood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part ofy this specification,

and in which atented Dee. 29, 1914i. Application filed Au/g'ust 3, 1914. Serial No. 854,791.

Figure l is a side elevation of an auto mobile wheel constru-cted in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged radial section onthe line 2 2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a transverse section of one of the spokes on the line 3 3 of Fig. l looking toward the rimyFig. ylis a transverse section on the line 44 of Fig. 2 looking to` ward the rim; Fig. 5 is` an enlarged radial section through the valve on the line 5-5 of Fig. l; Fig. 6 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and Fig.` 7 isa transverse section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 1. The form of metallic wheels which I have illustrated has a hollow metallic hub from which radiates a plurality of hollow metallic spokes. To complete 'the wheel proper, I -provide a fixed rim which exp tends around the outer endsof the spokes,

and is seated substantially centrally thereon,

and I join the outerA ends of the spokes to this fixed rim preferably by welding the ends of the spokes solidly and permanently to the fixed rim.

For the purpose of increasing the strength of the joint between the ends of the spokes and therim, I reinforce each of the spokes l either by means of an outwardly formed or extending flange or by' an interior filling or plug or by both. Preferably these reinforcements contact with the inner surface of the' fixed rim and provide additional con.

tacting or jointing surface between the rim andthe spokes as well as thicken, reinforce and strengthen the outer ends of the spokes.

Preferably I provide the fixed-rim -with a rim receiving flange at oneside, adapted to serve as a bearing or abutment for the de-. mountable rim and with an inwardly extending -fiange' at its other edge, and I proportion the sizes or dimensionsof the de-` mountable rim and the fixed rim so that when the demountable rim is placed upon the wheel there is provided. between the demountable rim and the fixed rim a circum-v ferential slot orspace adapted'to receive' the inner ends of wedge lugs for securing and holding the demountable rim upon the fixed rim of the wheel. For securing the wedge lugs in position, I provide bolt holes alternate spoke solid, thatis, I lill the' outer end of each Aalternate spoke and in each such filled o r solid end I produce or provide a .threaded -bolt hole to receive 'thejelamping for this purpose I tralA portion may,

y' ing upon. a medial tion being that the spokes a fixed rim B,

lits upon the outer ends of-the spokes. I join l b1-surrounding the outereiid of e.

' ways, I preferably provide an angle ring of 55 a size to t snugly upon the outer end of the flange b2l for the purpose of providing the' bolt. F or .the purpose of supporting the demountable rim between the wedge lugs I provide lugs or studs in the circumferential slot between the two rims and spaced so as to support the demountable li'm immediately over the spokes which do not carry claniping bolts. .This construction results ,in an 'exceedingly strong and durable metallic wheel which is as'light in, `weight as is consistent #with the strains-to which the wheel is sub in which'the meta-l used is ject in use, and distributed in'such a manner as to provide a Wheel of maximimvstrength and minimum. 'weight In order to, make the wheel and-its fastenings symmetrical, I provide'a space for^receiving the valve of the tire in one of 'the alternate'spokes, that is, in one of the spokes between two deform the outer end of lthe spoke, forcing the forward wall, at the outer end` of the spoke,

in the outer face of the spoke of suoli .dimensions that the valve of the tire can be properly operated.

' .The wheel, as 'illustrated inthe drawings,

comprises a Central portion A, comprising the hub al, and radial sppkes a2. This -cenas` illustrated, be' formed and made upof front and rear parts formed of sheet metal, andj'oined together by w/eld' plane, as indicated at a3, v

Fig. 3, the essential feature of this construc- Z are hollow and preferably, .as shown are thin-walled. I complete the wheel proper'by means of a which is continuous, and which this rini to the spokes, preferably by welding, and in order to'increa'se'the strength of the Lj oint between the end of each'spoke and the rim B, 'I provide a circumferen ial flange ch spoke. -While the flange b1 may be formed in many spoke and arranged with one flange formed to contact with the inner surface of the rim B. This flange blvis inade integral with the endof the spoke yand the fixed rim, preferably by welding. I provide the lixed'rim B at one side or edge with a circumferential wheel with a rim seat to receive and' support the demountable rim C. I prefer that the fixed rim shall be strengthened at its outer of -thei'wedge lugs, and

twelve spokes.

j back into contact- -with the rear wall, thus providing a groove edge, as by an inwafrdly turned llanges. The fixed rim, as thus constructed, `though made of relatively thin metal, is stronger and more rigid than if it were much thicker and formed without the flanges. The demountable rim preferred, has integral flanges c?, c3 here shown shaped to receive a straight side pneumatic tire F, as constrasted with a clenchertire. f

Imake the liXed rim B smaller in diameter than the' demountfable rim C to provide a circumferential slot orspace E adapted to receive the wedging toes orV points ofthe 'wedge clamps D. The flange b? forms a rimabutiiient at one side of the fixed rim B, and in order to -hold the rim C against this rim abutment, I provide a number of wedgiiig rim clamps D spaced about the fixed rim B.l

For the purpose of `holdingcthese wedging arrange six of these clamps around the wheel, the wheel itself being provided with In order to strengthen the spokes which carry the4 clamping bolts and to provide the bolt-receiving. holes d1, I 'preferably reinforce -the outer ends of these spokes with metal plugs d? welding them construction also strengthens the joint between the several spokes and the fixed rim. B, and makes the spokes substantially, inte- -gral with the fixed rim. Preferably1 I adapt the holes 'd1 in the solid ends of the spokes to "I providethe innerend of each said shankv with a heel o rprojection d s adapted to con tact with the adjacent surface of the spoke when the clamp is in rim-securing position, as shown in FiglQ. As shown; I make the filling or plug Z3 of such lengththat the in;V ner endthereof` supports the wall vof the .spoke immediately beneath the heel datand thus prevents the distortion ofthe spoke at that point. Toprovide a driver or driving' connectionbetween thevdemountable rim C andthe wheel, I employ, asshown in Fig. 5,

' solidlyr in placeand to the xed rim B. This ico fixed inwardly extending projection c4 on the rim C the same having a reduced end ci which' lits-within an l'opening b4 in the fixed rim B and thereby dowel the rim and wheel together. I preferably form this =driver to serve as a'spacer or support for the rim C, and for this purpose I make the driver with a-flange b5. equal in thickness tothe radial vdepth of the space E between the two rims.

Preferably, as' shown, I arrange the drivel-,

midwayl between two of the wedge lugs D and, as shown, -I may provide 'the driver with a central radial opening to accommodate the valve stemG.

It is desirable to make the wheel and de-.

mountable rim as a whole symmetrical, with the valve in alinement withc one of the spokes. When I arrange the valve G midway between two f vthe Wedge lugs and vextending radially in alinement with one' of thespokes, I form that spoke to accommodate the valve and permit easy access to it ywhen necessary. For this purpose I deform the outerend of the spoke which is in lineY with the valve, depressing or forming the outer wall a4 of this spoke rearwardly' and substantially. into contact with the rear wall a5 thereof, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6.` This construction provides' a groove or depression a? in the outer end Aof this spoke which exposes the valve G, and\ allows free access thereto; I sometimes employ additional rim supports H for the rim C. These I arrange .circumferentially between the clamps D, and preferably in line with4 `the intermediate spokes, andthese, in combination with the clamps D, provide a support for the demountable rim in line withA each of theseveral spokes. These supports or studs H may obviously be secured tothe vfixed rim B, as in Fig. 1. I however prefer to use a demountable rim which carries its own supporting studs, as shown at` HinFig.7. While I have thus illustrated and described my invention,` I desire it to` be understood thatl the details of construction may be materially varied, and that various claim as new rim, the, outer endsychanges7 modifications, and substitutions welded to and withfthe rim, some of the spokes being provided with traisverse holes I for receiving demountable rim clainpng bolts, and the xed rim being provided with ,means at one side to support a demountable rim. 4

2. In a metallicwheelhaving hollow .metallic spokes, a metallic fixed rim welded to the ends of allof the spokes, some of the spokes being 'reinforced at their outer ends and provided with transverse openings. adapted to receive rim clamping bolts..

3. In a metallic wheel, hollow, thin-walled radial spokesfa continuous xed rim integrally joined toand with the outer ends of vouter ends of the spokes, "having an outwardly ex .and fixed'rim and some ing transverse holes at their the spokes, alternate 'spokes being filled `at their outer ends vand provided through said fillings with transverse openings adapted to receive rim-clamping bolts and said fixed i rim being provided oat one side with a de- "c mountable-rim abutment.

4. In a metallic wheelof the bolted-on demountable..l rim type a metallic hub and a [ixed rim, hollow spokesconnecting the rim and hub, the spokes beingreinforcedI at their outer ends by means of circumferential out.- wardly extending lianges, and '/alternate spokes being also internally reinforced at their outer ends'and provided with trans- 80 verse openingsfor rim-clamping bolts and extending through said internal reinforcements.

5. Ina metallic vehicle wlieel, hollow 'y thin-walled radial spokes, a. fixed rim surrounding the outer ends of said spokes` and integrallyconnected therewith, the outer end of each alternate spoke being lled with a plug integrally joining-the rim and spoke, `and said alternate spokesbeing .pro-

vided in their 'outer solid 'ends' with transvverse threaded openings' adapted to receivebolts-for clamping ademountable rim upon the wheel, said fixed rim 'being' provided with a rim-receiving abutment. at one side.

6. In a metallic wheely of the bolted-on vdemountable, rim type, a metallic wheel proper having.' thin-.walled hollow spokes,

anda fixed rim Welded to each of said spokes tending circumferfend strengthening between the spoke of said spokes havouter ends for ential flange at its outer the 'spoke and the ljoint' receiving rim-clamping bolts.

7. In a metallic wheel ofthe bolted-on demountablerim type, a metallic wheel proper having thin-walled hollow spokes, and a flanged fixed rim welded to andA upon the outer ends of the spokes, each of said spokes .having an outwardly extending circumferential iange at its outer end strengthening the spoke and the'joint between the spoke and fixed rim, ing threaded bolt holes vat their outer ends for 'receiving rim-clamping bolts.

8. An automobile wheel' comprising a metallic wheel proper having hollow spokes, and ametallic fixed rim upon the outer ends of the spokes` and welded thereto, each alter- J nate spoke being provided with a transverse opening. adapted to receive a rimclar'nping bolt, said iixed rim being pro-` vided at one side with a demountable rim abutment, a demountable rimseated on said abutment and of an inner diameter providing a circumferential slot between the fixed rim and demountable rim, wedge .-lugs arranged between lthe two rimsand held inposition by boltsin said bolt holes, and rimand upon the ico and some of said spokes hav- 'clamping bolts,

' pneumatic tire,

supporting projections arranged between the demou'ntable rim and the Vixeldminl and sup'- porting the demountable rim at'points adj acent to theouterends of the alternate spokes.

9. In a vehicle wheel of the bolted-on demountable rim type adapted to receive a hollow spokes n'combination withv a continuous Xed rim Welded to the'ends of the spokes, alternate spokeshavbolt holes for `receiving rim-- ying transverse and one of the intermediate spokes being deformed at its outer. end 'to provide a radially extending' groove for ac- 25 l tial alinement with4 each commod'ating and permitting access to the valve stem of a pneumatic tire. Y

10. A rim ofthe herein on type, in combination with a complementary metallic: wheelcomprising tubular,

spokes, arelatively thin metallic fixed rim metallically united with 'and to the ends of'` all of the spokes, wedging. rim clamps 4se- `cured yupon the outer ends of some o f the spokes, and arim support or stud in substano the other spokes. 11. A rim of the herein-describedl boltedon type, in combination with a metallic wheel havingvtubular spokes and a continuous welded-on fixed rim, a circumferential space being provlded' between fixed rim, and rim supports in said space one in -alinement with each saidjspoke.

12. In a metallicwheel lof the herein de-- scribed bolted-on rim`type,

having tubular Aspokes and a metallic fixed rim metallically united-with and to the ends .of the spokes, incombination with Iade'v vmountable rim, means Afor clamping the rim upon the wheel,

'described' boltedthe rim and e a wheel proper,-

a dowel carriedby the-dei mountable rim, `and the fixed rim being provided with' en -complementary hole in aljne- '40 ment with one of the spokes for receiving. 'the d'owel, and circumerentially locking the 13. In a metallic wheel of the herein 'described bolted-on rim type, a wheel proper having tubular spokes and a fixed rim metallically united withand tothe ends of the spokes, inycombination with ardemountable rim, wedging rim clamps carried by the fwheel, A one on each 'alternate spoke, for! clamping the rim -upon the wheel, a.- dowel carried lby the demountable rimv and the fined rim being provided with a complementary hole in alinement with one of the spokes 'to receive the dowel and circumfer-v entially lock the rim to the wheel.

14. In a metallic wheel of the herein descrbed'bolted-on rim type, a, vwheel proper having tubular spokes, and a iXedrim welded to the ends of' said spokes, alternate spokes being provided with transverse holes for receiving rim-clamping bolts, one of the intermediate spokes being Ldeformed at'its outerend to prov1de a valveV stem receiving groove, the fixed rim being provided with a iff dowel hole 1n alinement with said spoke, av

demountable rim on said wheel, a 'dowel pro jecting from the inner face of the demountable rim, and entering said dowel hole, and

said dowel being provided with a valve steml 

